As the year draws to a close, I’d like to look back a bit on this year, and talk about what I have planned for 2025.
First off, thank you so so much for the feedback and kind words you left me in my survey!
I feel very humbled by all of your positive, encouraging words, and I will take all of this with me to think about during my holiday break. These are the kind of happy and positive vibes I needed.
If you haven’t taken the survey yet, it’s still open – I’m happy to hear from you, no matter if you’re new here or have followed my work for a while. I’d like to make this blog a welcoming place for all of you.
Take the survey
Let’s look back on the year.
Creatively, I have to say 2024 was a bit slow for me, at least on the surface. I managed to fill one(!) sketchbook.
Well, it was a large one, but still, I would have loved to make lots and lots of art. I explored drawing and inking a bit more, tried out different new fountain pens, and that entire process brought me a lot of enjoyment.
I didn’t really have the energy to draw as much as I would have liked, but I also know that I had a very stressful and challenging year overall, so this was to be expected. I hope that I can fit in more field sketching next year.
In April I published a course on how to develop creative habits and how to start a sketchbook practice. The idea for this course was to have 14 days of prompts that encourage you to take a few moments, observe and unwind, and build a creative habit that way, and I included daily tips that hopefully help with that.
I know from your feedback that this friendly push to be creative can be something we need at certain times. I definitely made use of some of the ideas in the course when I tried to ease back into my daily sketching.
I’ve had to limit my guided courses with feedback a bit this year due to my health, but I had a great time in summer with one group of Botanical Sketching which was delightful, and one focused run-through of Sketching Fundamentals in autumn which was a great group with very motivated students.
Some of you have been asking when I offer my next guided courses. I have rough plans, but alas, before we schedule anything like that I’m having another surgery in January.
I’m not exactly thrilled. They told me it’s a much smaller one this time, but I can’t skip it. I guess I’ll just have to see how that goes, and then I will make new plans.
I’m really sorry I can’t give you a more detailed schedule for guided courses yet, I know I would love to plan these things in, too. But I’ll keep you posted on the newsletter.
Anyway.
When I look at the one sketchbook I managed to fill in 2024 (apart from the small rehab sketchbook I finished and random study sheets and some unfinished personal pieces), I notice all the different inks and fountain pens I tried out, and how I developed an interest in sketching architecture. And I definitely focused on tonal sketches more this year.
I had the pleasure of seeing lots of Albrecht Dürer’s graphic work this summer when I visited Nürnberg, that also made me want to dive deeper into drawing and inking.
I’ve noticed this in the way I teach, too. I just love to talk about this stuff. The quality and energy of line, how it flows, how you can change the character of your drawing with just a few strokes – I just enjoy exploring this and showing it to others.
I’ve also begun experimenting with a new, shorter format class format, starting with my mini class on contour drawing techniques. To be honest this was mainly because I didn’t have it in me to produce another big course this year, but I needed something for Skillshare (they require regular publishing, and fortunately are quite flexible regarding the format).
So far I’m really liking this shorter format – it’s designed to be quick, focused, and approachable — with those of you in mind that struggle to get started with sketching or feel pressed for time.
This class has been very well received among my Skillshare students and I’ve made it free for those who support me on Patreon.
If you’ve taken my foundational drawing class you won’t need to take this first mini class, but my hope is to expand this concept into a series of bite-sized classes that explore techniques in different areas of drawing. I’m currently exploring some new (for me) techniques that I haven’t included in any other course, and that’s a lot of fun. That will come in 2025, too.
Anyway, producing this more concise format should free up my time for longer writing sessions that happen in the background, most notably for the now almost mythical beast that will be the landscape sketching course at some point. The survey has shown that a lot of you would like to see this.
I swear it will happen at some point. I have lots of notes, half of the lessons are there, I just need an uninterrupted block of time to finish the writing, and then organize and film this course. And I need to get that surgery behind me first.
If you have specific ideas or wishes for a course on landscape sketching, now is a great time to mention them, so that I can consider adding those requests.
What I have planned in so far is to go over all basic concepts needed for great landscape sketches, how you can make complex scenes more manageable and turn them into small fun sketches. I will of course include lots of exercises and demos, and also show how to draw different aspects of landscape. I plan to offer it as a self-learning and a guided version.
All of this will of course be my approach to sketching landscapes, which happens mainly at manageable sizes in my sketchbook, with graphite/ink/water-based media and limited time, similar to what you know from me.
With a course of this scope, I want to take the time to get it right, rather than push it out when it feels incomplete, and I really want to make it as educational and helpful as I can. So maybe expect one or several more announcements from me like this one, saying that I need more time to finish. I need that time and it’ll make for a better result.
As the year is winding down to its end, I’m sort of relieved – to be frank, it was not the best year for me.
And yet, I had so many lovely email and comment conversations with many of you, and beautiful calm sketching sessions in the park, and the joy of discovering new tools, moments of just sitting in nature, moments of exploration and laughter.
I’ve learnt to appreciate those small positive moments even more.
Right now, I feel ready to rest, hibernate for a bit, and then hopefully return at some point with renewed energy.
I hope all of you had a beautiful year with many memorable moments, and I hope you’ll also follow along on my sketching journey next year, wherever and however it will go. See you in 2025!
P.S. As a small unintended holiday gift for you, my Youtube channel is currently not plastered with ads, due to some bureaucratic mishap with Google, so for the next few weeks you can watch all my videos as if there existed a functioning adblocker on every device, yay! Enjoy it while it lasts.
I really enjoyed your sketchbook tour pictures in this blog post.
Liebe Julia, you’ll be in my thoughts this January. I hope for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.
Your gentle, (indeed, loose but precise) teaching gave me so much this year. Your classes gave me the courage to sketch, which with its risks of failure and disappointment is a miniature representation of the courage to live. It sustained me during a grueling (and sadly unsuccessful) electoral campaign. And it has worked some kind of permanent change in how I see the world around me, both the wide arcs of vision, and the startling pleasure of tiny details.
You’ve also brought me closer to my long-deceased father, who was a painter and illustrator. I find myself thinking about him often, and imagining showing him my little sketches.
For all of this, thank you.
Hi Julia, I love these beautiful pages from your sketchbook. Thanks for keeping me motivated through the year. Hope 2025 will be a good year for you, healthwise and creatively.
Have a wonderful festive period and a very Happy New Year!
Felices Fiestas Julia, a ver si me da tiempo con la encuesta. Sigo ojeando tú blog y tus cursos buscando ideas para mejorar mis técnicas. Es un gusto ojearlos.
Te deseo toda la salud y recuperación que necesites y espero tus dibujos del 2025 con ansiedad. Un abrazo.❤️
Happy Holidays, Julia! I echo many of the comments about your teaching style, and I wish you good health in 2025 and beyond. I am looking forward to your landscape watercolor course, but take your time. I’ll still be here.
Wishing you a peaceful turn of the year. Thank you for the sketches and the lessons!
Thank you for such a lovely piece. The sketches were a wonderful way to start the day, and thanks for sharing your thoughts. I enjoy your gentle way of expressions, both in words and sketches. Thank you for all that you do share with us.
Going forward in 2025, please know that I along with all your other supporters, will be thinking of you and hoping that all goes well. Do take the time to recover and rest, and never worry, we will be here whenever you are up to sharing your journey with us.
much love and appreciation,
Fran
Wishing you a rejuvenating and restful Holiday, Julia!! I look forward to the landscape sketching offering next year.
It is nice to know how to DO something like drawing but it is a gift to be able to teach that to others. Not everyone who teaches does it well but I find your voice and your gentle way of guiding and explaining to be just what this old man needs. Thank you for all that you do. I hope to be able to take one of your courses this year.
I sincerely hope your health problems are resolved as soon as possible and you are able to resume your life of art without constraint or worry.
Thank you Julia for your tips and guidance in sketching and watercolours. Your blogs are a great encouragement when my motivation is low. I wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery in January and a year of good health in 2025.
Jennifer from Australia
You sound like me – thinking I’ve had an off year, not very productive, but sensing that my energy and interest is returning for the new year. These looks back are so important – look at all you DID accomplish! and I’m sure when I do my own review of my blog, I’ll be surprised at how much I actually did. Best of luck with that surgery and don’t rush your recovery. All will be patiently waiting for when you are up to returning to “regularly scheduled programming” as they say over here in America. :-)
Thank you for a year filled with inspiration. I always devour everything you share, you seem to have a special kind of magic—connecting with thoughtful words and quality content. Wishing you all the best for January op and a 2025 that unfolds at just the right pace for you.
I know you have been ill. Your posts and other items have left a hole in my learning. Understanding that you are low energy have not sent you many things.
I look forward hopefully to your return.
Dear Julia,
This is such an insightful post. The work you were able to achieve is really luminous and beautiful and helps to remind me that, even in times of low energy, one can still be creative.
I’ve had a very difficult 2024 with an elderly relative in hospital for many weeks and needing much more support thereafter. Your post reminds me to appreciate the beauty of small things and to live life as fully as possible as circumstances allow. Thank you for everything you have given us this year.
Sending you love and best wishes for a much better 2025, a successful surgery and quick recovery.
Gill
Wonderful sketchbook reviews! I enjoy all that you do and am inspired to practice more landscapes and buildings. I also like the blue shadowing on your nature elements. Wishing you the best in health for the new year! Take good care!
I’m praying you a have a successful surgery in January and a quick recovery and that you have a healthy 2025!
I have not been doing much art in 2024 and am hoping that 2025 will bring me more motivation to paint. Take care and God Bless you!
I just want to thank you for your wonderful blogs and teaching videos. It has been a very difficult year for me and my family. While I discovered your work in happier times when I became interested in nature journaling, I have come to read and watch your work when I need some nurturing words and a comforting voice. I love your creative habits course and just today I did some studies of an interesting cyclamen seedpod. I have a long journey ahead to learn to draw and paint but I always feel encouraged by your words. I look forward to your landscape course when you have had the time and resources to make it. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery from your surgery. I hope you enjoy better health in the coming year.
A short note, with a wish for a healthier New Year for you ❤️
And I love your sketches and blogs and mini courses ❣️
Wendy
Thinking of you this morning. I pray surgery goes well and your recovery is quick. May you be happier, healthier and stronger in the new year.
Thank you for all you do,
Patrick